PhD Scholarship – SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care

Location: 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend, at the current value of $33,000 per annum 2023 full-time rate, as per the Monash Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/research-training-program-scholarship#scholarship-details

• Be inspired, every day
• Drive your own learning at one of the world’s top 80 universities
• Take your career in exciting, rewarding directions

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for an exceptional candidate to undertake a PhD project in women’s sexual and reproductive health at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)-funded SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence. Located within the Department of General Practice, SPHERE focuses on addressing evidence-practice gaps in the delivery of preconception care, contraception, medical abortion services and endometriosis and pelvic pain diagnosis and management in primary care and increasing access to these services.

The Australian Government is committed to fund initiatives aimed at improving endometriosis and pelvic pain diagnosis, primary care support and helping more individuals to find appropriate care and better manage the impact of endometriosis and pelvic pain. As part of this package, the Government is funding the development of an Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP). The need for an EMP was identified as part of the National Action Plan for Endometriosis and broad stakeholder advocacy. This Action Plan describes the need for greater understanding, awareness and diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. An EMP will support the navigation and management of endometriosis and pelvic pain through primary care settings as their main point of care for healthcare providers and their patients.

The PhD will focus on elements of the EMP involving the development, piloting and evaluation of the EMP in general practice involving qualitative interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, GPs and patients, a scoping review, quantitative data analysis and development of key resources, and evaluation of engagement within a digital community of practice.

The EMP Study is part of the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence in Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Care, led by Professor Danielle Mazza. This is the first dedicated Centre to lead research that is aimed at improving the quality, safety, and capacity of primary health care services to achieve better outcomes in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Students working within SPHERE will be supported by Professor Mazza's research team, which consists of Post Docs, PhD students, academic registrars and honours students. They will also have the opportunity to be part of a large, multidisciplinary, collaborative team of investigators, which includes prominent national and international researchers and experts working in women’s health, general practice, pharmacy, nursing, epidemiology, knowledge translation, health economics, and policy development.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed face-to-face or via Zoom if necessary.

Eligibility requirements:

Monash University seeks applicants for this opportunity who are able to demonstrate and present valid and current Australian work rights.

Applicants must fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University and demonstrate excellent research capability. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum .

Successful applicants will have a strong interest and an excellent academic track record in women’s health, primary health care, health promotion or public health, with an Honours or Master’s degree with H1 or equivalent and experience in the Australian context. Clinical experience in primary care nursing, general practice, rural or allied health is desirable but not mandatory.

The project is based in Melbourne, Australia and is available for immediate start.

How to apply

For general instructions on how to apply to undertake your research degree at Monash, please refer to www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/apply .

To express your interest in this scholarship and PhD research opportunity, we request candidates provide:

• A cover letter describing your research interests and why you would like to undertake a PhD (maximum one page)
• A CV including qualifications, academic achievements, list of publications, work history and references
• A copy of your academic transcript(s)

Enquiries

Dr Maryam Moradi, SPHERE Senior Research Fellow, [email protected]

Closing date

Tuesday 30 May 2023, 11:55pm AEST

At Monash University, the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors is our top priority. In accordance with the Pandemic Orders issued by the Victorian Government  Health Minister, we require all staff working or placed in healthcare facilities to be fully vaccinated (boosted) against COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend these locations.

For the latest information on COVID-19 at Monash, please visit our website .

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